Answers to your FAQs

The one-year anniversary of the blog is coming up in a few weeks. In the last year I’ve been surprised by many things, including how people from so many different countries have found this blog! Since so few of you know me personally, I thought I’d take a break from the usual post format to answer some questions.

So in no particular order, here we go:

1. Why did you start a blog?

God prompted me to start a blog during the first year of lockdown. He encouraged me that though we’re isolated, His words can still reach out to bridge the gap of loneliness and fear. And, He reminded me that the years I spent developing web content for large corporations wasn’t in vain. He never wastes anything!

2. How do you maintain intimacy with God?

There have been seasons in my life when I struggled to stay close to God, but His irresistible love always drew me back. He’s relentless in His pursuit of us. The lesson I think we all must learn is to run to Him, not from Him – especially when we’re struggling (See Luke 15:11-32).

3. What’s something I’d be surprised to know about you?

I love silly jokes.

One flea said to the other flea, “Shall we walk, or just take the dog?”

The three-legged dog walked into a bar in the Old West and said, “I’m lookin’ for the man who shot my paw!”

4. Are you married? Do you have any kids?

I have a wonderful husband, and we have 4 children between us. We also have 9 grandchildren.

6. What’s your favorite book on intimacy with God?

Hands down, my favorite book on intimacy is The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. It’s full of golden nuggets about God’s desire for fellowship with us; and it presents an unvarnished view of the personal sacrifice needed to enter into His presence.

7. What are you reading right now?

I just finished a book called Defying Jihad by Esther Ahmad and Craig Borlase. It’s an amazing story about a woman who volunteered to kill infidels, then through the Lord’s miraculous intervention became a Christian (thus an infidel herself). Her love for the Bible (which took her months to obtain) and prayer really challenged my often-lethargic western mindset.

8. What do you think is the biggest obstacle to hearing God’s voice?

We tend to be our own biggest obstacle. Jesus said very definitively that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27). When you commit your life to Christ, you do hear, you just may not realize that’s it’s Him speaking. Scroll through the past posts (on the home page) for more detailed articles on how to sharpen your hearing.

9. What advice do you have for new Christians who want to hear the voice of God?

Learn to get quiet in God’s presence. Let go of your devices, social media, and other distractions, and practice the simple art of listening. It also helps to write down what you hear. Do it even if you’re not sure whether it’s God speaking. No one has to see what you write. It’s just practice. Plus, writing helps keep your mind from wandering. The more you listen, the more you’ll be able to identify what is and isn’t God’s voice.

10. How do you get back to intimacy with God when you’ve knowingly sinned?

There’s only one path back to Him and that’s repentance. If shame or fear keeps you from confessing your sins, try memorizing/meditating on Hebrews 4:15-16. Let the fact that Jesus “gets” you sink deeply into your soul. Even in our weakest moments, we can approach God’s throne with confidence, knowing that we WILL find His mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

11. Do you ever doubt God?

No. I’ve walked with Him long enough to know that He’s faithful. What I sometimes doubt is whether my own faith will hold up under pressure. I suppose that’s why Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters. He messed up so many times, but with each misstep, the Lord forgave him and affirmed his destiny (John 21:15-16). Even when we doubt ourselves, God is faithful. He will complete the work He started in us (Psalm 138:8; Phil. 1:6).

12. What’s God been talking to you about lately?

He’s been showing me how many things He wants to complete/repair in our lives. This includes broken relationships, unpaid debts, old grudges, unresolved resentments, etc. I think He’s clearing the debris so He can take us forward to a place where we truly look and act like the Spirit-empowered believers we’re meant to be.

13. What’s your favorite Scripture.

Can you tell by the name of the blog? It’s John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” This verse tells us what we’ll be doing forever (if we’re surrendered to Christ), and that’s coming to know (really know and experience) God and His Son Jesus. I imagine that in heaven, we’ll see Him like an endlessly faceted jewel. Just when we discover the brilliance of one facet, He’ll reveal something else bright and beautiful about Himself, and this glorious unfolding will go on for eternity.

14. What’s next for you in ministry?

God willing, I’ll travel again to minister wherever God sends me. I’m also revising a Bible study/workbook on hearing God’s voice, which will be available as a free download from the blog. I’m praying about doing podcast or YouTube teachings on intimacy with God. Please do let me know if you have an interest in seeing/hearing that.